Anyone used Jif or Brasso to revive scratched CDs?

[x-large1553552716]

Just a quick question to ask if anyone has ever used Jif, Brasso or anything similar to remove scratches from CDs?

 

I'm not talking about just the odd scratch, these CDs are pretty much munted. The data side of the disc seems in tact and looks mint. So thought I'd have a crack at fixing them up.

 

Any tips or past experiences?

[Electra]

I have often used silvo or brasso. I think silvo is a finer grinding paste than brasso.

 

As long as the data side is undamaged, it takes care of most scratches.

 

I once tried extra cut car polish.

 

That didnt work.

[Omegaspeedy]

I've used toothpaste.

[aarond1553552714]

I once used Acetone (nail polish remover). Only once.

 

Only do this to CDs you want to kill (like Beatles, Eagles etc.)

[Shane Hanify]

Gidday x-Large,

 

Yep, Both Brasso and Silvo, although I've heard toothpaste gives a nice minty flavour.

 

The Brasso and Silvo leave fine swirls but will cut out all but the deeper scratches. Lay the CD label side down on a non slips surface (grip mat is good) and lightly polish radially. If you try to do it in mid air you can snap the disc from the pressure of the rubbing.

 

Failing that there are several places that will resurface (ie deck) the disc for you.

 

Cheers, Shane.

[x-large1553552716]

I had a stab at it with Jif, which seems much harsher than Brasso, and it got rid of the finer scratches and scuffing but some of the more serious hazing (?) didn't budge.

 

Haven't invested a lot of effort, so maybe some more elbow grease is all that is required.

 

On the face of it it does seem to be working though. I'll keep at it and see how I get on.

 

Thanks guys for the input. Didn't think of toothpaste, although somehow I think the discs are past the toothpaste stage

 

I remember using turps once to remove the adhesive left behind by the price sticker on the case, didn't have any meths about - did the trick until I came back an hour later and the case had melted Hate to think what acetone would do...

[King Size1553552683]

 

Low Orbit;128527 wrote:

Lay the CD label side down on a non slips surface (grip mat is good) and lightly polish radially.

 

To clarify, you mean from outside to inside (or in to out) in straight lines?

[aarond1553552714]

Wikipedia: Acetone is a good solvent for most plastics and synthetic fibres including polystyrene, polycarbonate and some types of polypropylene.

[crispynz1]

I take them to my local video shop and they spin them in the Azuradisc machine. Costs $4 per disc but they come out looking like new.

[Nak-Mad]

Meguiars Clearcoat finishing system ........brasso too, though the Meguiars system need less clean up

 

don't like toothpaste... often uses calcium carbonate filler.. a bit 'grindy' .. "brasso" at least uses aluminium oxide..much better for fine polishing

[Brian Ono]

I bought a cheap manuel disc polisher from the Warehouse.It has a fine cutting compound which is great but needs plenty of elbow grease.I found Jif to be a little too abrasive .Brasso suited better.Does anyone know if you can buy the lacquer that protects them?

[joe90]

i have used amways silicon glase polish

this works a treat

i put it on and polih straight lines from the inside out, it has revived many a CD that would not even read in my player

you do however have to contact an amway zellot to purchase it,

[Ross F]

 

x-large;128528 wrote:

 

I remember using turps once to remove the adhesive left behind by the price sticker on the case, didn't have any meths about - did the trick until I came back an hour later and the case had melted

Hate to think what acetone would do...

 

Probably nothing actually. Polycarbonate (from which CDs are made) reacts rather badly with acetone, at best clouding it (thus obscuring the data) at worst dissolving it completely. But jewel cases are made (I think) of a rigid polyethylene (cheaper than polycarbonate - they wouldn't break as easily if they were polycarb) which doesn't usually react with acetone. Turps contains all sorts of nasties and is a definite no-no around plastics.

[Guest Guest]

 

omegaspeedy;128518 wrote:

I've used toothpaste.

 

I tried that once but it didn't work. I'm keen to see what does though!

[Shane Hanify]

 

King Size;128542 wrote:

To clarify, you mean from outside to inside (or in to out) in straight lines?

 

Gidday K S,

 

That's right although I've had great success with small circular motions as well.

 

 

Cheers, Shane.

[x-large1553552716]

 

Brian Ono;128559 wrote:

I bought a cheap manuel disc polisher from the Warehouse.It has a fine cutting compound which is great but needs plenty of elbow grease.

 

Do those things actually work? I assumed they were just a gimmick. I wonder if that would be a goer instead of slaveing away with a rag...

[Nak-Mad]

 

x-large;128598 wrote:

Do those things actually work? I assumed they were just a gimmick. I wonder if that would be a goer instead of slaveing away with a rag...

 

Yes..my one has a nice handy ( to grip) applicator, but in reality is no better than a soft cotton cloth ( which usually boils down to an old CLEAN hankie.... ) with your polishing compound of choice.. IME...

[Nak-Mad]

 

Ross F;128569 wrote:

Probably nothing actually. Polycarbonate (from which CDs are made) reacts rather badly with acetone, at best clouding it (thus obscuring the data) at worst dissolving it completely. But jewel cases are made (I think) of a rigid polyethylene (cheaper than polycarbonate - they wouldn't break as easily if they were polycarb) which doesn't usually react with acetone. Turps contains all sorts of nasties and is a definite no-no around plastics.

 

Most "clear cover" rigid CD jewel cases are 'polystyrene' based, which is just as susceptible to solvent attack than the CD itself.

The rigid PE ones are usually distinguishable by their whitish translucent appearance, softer feel, and degree of flexibility.. and of course are not bothered by acetone at all..

Turps is a mixture of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.. the latter are the nasties as far as most thermoplastics like Polystyrene, ABS and polycarbonate are concerned... the aliphatics are OK.. and 'generally' plastic safe...

[davyboy9]

Try one of those plastic scratch remover products from auto shops.

[Nigel Beale]

I found that if you donnot shake the brasso bottle, the watery top is perfect for removing scratches. The cloth needs to be a soft felt type as hard cotton weave can actually generate more scratches than you remove.

 

Had to fix the odd hire DVD due to scratches, just a light touch up and away they go.

[Nigel Beale]

.

[Nigel Beale]

opps

[x-large1553552716]

Oh, I was going to ask about the cloth. I was using my baby girls muslin facecloth, thought if it's good for her precious face it's gotta be OK for polycarb Seems that's not so, I did notice very slight scratches Hmmm, will have to find something else to use...

[TheBlueMushroom1553552749]

I use Autosol (think it's an extremely fine auto-cutting compound).

Available from Repco etc, it's worked to recover all my "must have" DVDs after parties

I've always used with cotton rags from an old sheet, polished if necessary with a (freshly washed!) hanky.

 

Worth a crack, altho it does take some elbow-grease.

FWIW, anyhow

cheers

- D

[joe90]

 

x-large;128506 wrote:

Just a quick question to ask if anyone has ever used Jif, Brasso or anything similar to remove scratches from CDs?

 

 

 

I'm not talking about just the odd scratch, these CDs are pretty much munted. The data side of the disc seems in tact and looks mint. So thought I'd have a crack at fixing them up.

 

 

 

Any tips or past experiences?

 

Neil has used a product to re finish some of his discs called

Mannwhirl refinisher, he seems to think its a go

have not tried it yet myself